This is such a huge topic entailing many disorders; in this article we will try to cover homeopathic support for some common problems.
The skin is the body’s largest organ and we often find that skin conditions are the expression of an imbalance within the body. This means that the treatment of what may seem to be superficial and isolated symptoms actually requires a more thorough consultation and course of treatment than the home prescriber is able to ascertain by looking at the skin symptoms alone.
While skin ailments can be difficult to treat and often need a constitutional prescription, the following remedies may provide symptomatic relief. However it is important for the home prescriber to know when to seek advice from an experienced practitioner. Even then chronic conditions can take a patience and a long course of treatment to resolve.
The following information may be helpful and relates to homoeopathic remedy pictures and information available in traditional homoeopathic texts. Homoeopathic principles should be applied when using any homoeopathic remedy. Always read the product label. If symptoms persist consult your health care practitioner promptly.
Apis: Urticaria where skin lesion is swollen, hot, red, very itchy and burning, worse heat, better cold applications.
Arsenicum: Burning pains with itching, must scratch until skin is raw. Better heat and warm bathing, worse night and cold applications.
Graphites: dry eczema with a honey like discharge, has deep cracks, skin is hard, thick and rough. Eruptions in fold of skin.
Nat Mur: Dry flaky skin and hair. Eczema along the hairline and in the bend of joints. Worse heat, exertion, grief and better for cold.
Rhus Tox: Vesicles and blisters with extreme itchiness and restlessness. Prickly heat, eczema, shingles and chicken pox.
Sepia: Thickening of skin, circular eruptions, dryness that is worse in winter and not often itchy.
Silica: Unhealthy skin with poor healing.Cracks on finger tips, worse in cold weather.
Sulphur: Skin is very itchy, red, burning, and scratches until raw. Worse night, on becoming warm, and warm water.
Cold sores:Frequent episodes require a consult. The following remedies help with acute outbreaks. Nat mur– watery, pearl like blisters on the lips that are puffy and burning. Usually occurs after an acute illness, sun, or emotional upset. Sepia – periodic lesions with chapped, raw, or cracking skin. Rhus tox– itchy, tingling, vesicles that suppurate and leave a crust. Arsenicum – Intense burning. May break open and cause small ulcers. Hepar Sulph – the lesions fill with yellowish matter. Very sensitive to touch.
Also available is the Cold Sore Balm: This balm contains Arsenicum 6c, Calendula 6c, Hepar sulph 6c, Nat mur 6c, Rhus tox 6c, and Sepia 6c. For best results apply the balm at the very first hint of cold sore activity.
Hives and nettle rash: Usually caused by an allergic reaction to foods, chemicals, plants or an insect sting. Apis: Stinging pains and swelling. Puffy face especially the eyelids.Belladonna: Hives with hot, red face and headache. Nat mur: Clear, watery eruptions from becoming overheated. Allergic reaction to insect bites. Rhus tox: Blisters or rash, red and swollen. Itching and tingling. Restlessness. Urtica urens: Intense, intolerable itching, must scratch. Burning, stinging rash.
Impetigo:Impetigo, or school sores are highly infectious and need immediate treatment. Ant crud– thick, yellow, burning, spreading crusts occurring around nostrils and mouth. Graphites – thick crusts with a honey like discharge, worse at folds of skin. Hepar sulph – moist lesions with splinter like pains, very sensitive to touch. Mercurius– moist yellowish brown crusts or pustules on a red, inflamed base. Sore and itchy. Rhus tox – eruptions in clusters with violent burning, itching, stinging, and tingling.
Chicken pox and measles like rashes: Childhood diseases are similar in their clinical evolution. They possess the following stages. 1. Incubation. 2. Invasion(with fever Aconite, Belladonna, Gelsemium, Bryonia). 3. Rash. Select remedies to fit the symptoms ( e.g. Apis, Pulsatilla, Rhus Tox, Sulphur).Slow recovery with weakness Carbo Veg.
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